Early Life and Education of Steven Seagal: A Complete Timeline
Discover the defining moments in the early life of Steven Seagal. From birth to education, explore key events.
Steven Seagal is an American actor, producer, screenwriter, martial artist, and musician. Holding a 7th-dan black belt in aikido, he started his career teaching martial arts in Japan, becoming the first American to teach in an aikido dojo. Later, he moved to Los Angeles and continued teaching. Seagal debuted as an actor in 1988 with Above the Law, notable for being the first American film to showcase aikido in fight scenes. He has starred in over 50 films.
1932: Birth of Harry Lee
Harry Lee, the sheriff who made Steven Seagal a Reserve Deputy Chief, was born in 1932.
April 10, 1952: Steven Seagal's Birth
On April 10, 1952, Steven Frederic Seagal was born. He later became an actor, producer, screenwriter, martial artist, and musician.
1969: Death of Morihei Ueshiba
In 1969, Morihei Ueshiba (the founder of aikido) died. Steven Seagal later claimed he was his student even though it was unlikely due to him only being 17 at the time.
1970: Attendance at Fullerton College
In 1970, Steven Seagal attended Fullerton College, contributing to his educational background.
1971: Attendance at Fullerton College
In 1971, Steven Seagal continued to attend Fullerton College, contributing to his educational background.
December 1974: Marriage to Miyako Fujitani
In December 1974, Steven Seagal married Miyako Fujitani in Japan. She was a second-degree black belt and daughter of an Osaka aikido master.
1978: Earning Aikido Black Belt
In 1978, Steven Seagal earned his aikido black belt while teaching at the school owned by Miyako's family.
1982: Fight Coordinator
In 1982, Steven Seagal had his first experiences in the film industry by working as a fight coordinator on "The Challenge".
1983: Return to the United States and Dojo Opening
In 1983, Steven Seagal returned to the United States with Haruo Matsuoka and opened an aikido dojo, initially in North Hollywood.
1988: "Golden Era" Start
In 1988, Steven Seagal's 'Golden Era' began, marking the period of his initial successes.
1991: "Golden Era" End
In 1991, Steven Seagal's 'Golden Era' ended, concluding the period of his initial successes.
1992: LeBell added to Robert Wall's "Dirty Dozen"
In 1992, Gene LeBell was counted as an additional member of Robert Wall's "Dirty Dozen", a group of martial artists willing to answer a public challenge made by Steven Seagal. LeBell however declined to participate.
1992: "Silver Era" Start
In 1992, Steven Seagal's 'Silver Era' began, marking the peak of his fame and high-profile blockbusters.
February 1997: Recognized as a Tulku
In February 1997, Lama Penor Rinpoche announced that Steven Seagal was a tulku, specifically the reincarnation of Chungdrag Dorje, a 17th-century terton of Tibetan Buddhism.
1997: Parting Ways with Haruo Matsuoka
In 1997, Steven Seagal and Haruo Matsuoka parted ways, ending their partnership in running the aikido dojo.
1997: "Silver Era" End
In 1997, Steven Seagal's 'Silver Era' ended, concluding a period when he reached the peak of his fame and made high-profile blockbusters.
1998: "Transitional Period" Start
In 1998, Steven Seagal's 'Transitional Period' began, during which he made lower-profile or ensemble films.
October 2000: Anthony Ciccone visits Seagal during filming of Exit Wounds
In October 2000, Gambino family captain Anthony Ciccone visited Steven Seagal in Toronto during the filming of Exit Wounds.
January 2001: Seagal meets with Anthony Ciccone in Brooklyn
In January 2001, Primo Cassarino and other gangsters brought Steven Seagal to a meeting with Anthony Ciccone at a Brooklyn restaurant, where Ciccone threatened Seagal to either make four movies with Nasso or pay a penalty.
2001: Seagal seeks help from Genovese crime family
In 2001, Steven Seagal sought help from Genovese crime family captain Angelo Prisco to act as a "peacemaker" and visited him in prison, paying Prisco's lawyer $10,000.
2002: "Transitional Period" End
In 2002, Steven Seagal's 'Transitional Period' ended, concluding a period during which he made lower-profile or ensemble films.
March 17, 2003: Cassarino, Ciccone and others convicted of racketeering
On March 17, 2003, Cassarino, Ciccone and others were convicted of labor racketeering, extortion, and 63 other counts. Steven Seagal testified for the prosecution about the mobsters' extortion attempt.
August 2003: Nasso pleads guilty to extortion conspiracy
In August 2003, Julius Nasso pleaded guilty to the charge of extortion conspiracy.
2003: Direct-to-Video Period Start
In 2003, Steven Seagal's lengthy 'direct-to-video' period began, becoming his most prolific phase to date.
February 2004: Nasso sentenced to prison, fined, and ordered to take mental health counselling
In February 2004, Julius Nasso was sentenced to a year and a day in prison, fined $75,000 and ordered to take mental health counselling upon release.
2007: Death of Sheriff Harry Lee
Harry Lee, the sheriff who made Steven Seagal a Reserve Deputy Chief, died in 2007.
January 2008: Nasso drops lawsuit against Seagal in out-of-court settlement
In January 2008, Julius Nasso agreed to drop a $60 million lawsuit against Steven Seagal for alleged breach of contract after the two settled out of court.
2008: Direct-to-Video Period End
In 2008, Steven Seagal's lengthy 'direct-to-video' period ended, concluding his most prolific phase to date.
2009: "Chief Seagal" Period Start
In 2009, Steven Seagal's 'Chief Seagal' period began, during which he moved into television and reflected elements of his 'Steven Seagal: Lawman' persona in his films.
May 2011: Lyoto Machida's UFC Victory
In May 2011, Brazilian mixed martial artist Lyoto Machida credited Steven Seagal for helping him perfect the front kick used to knock out Randy Couture at UFC 129.
2012: LeBell avoids confirming on-set incident with Seagal in interview
In 2012, Gene LeBell was requested to confirm a previous on-set incident with Steven Seagal in an interview. While he avoided a direct answer, he implied the incident was true by stating that Seagal sometimes "cheese off the wrong people".
2012: "Chief Seagal" Period Mention
In 2012, the 'Chief Seagal' period (2009-present) of Steven Seagal's career was added to an updated edition of "Seagalogy."
March 2014: Praises Vladimir Putin
In March 2014, Steven Seagal described Vladimir Putin as "one of the great living world leaders" and expressed support for the annexation of Crimea by Russia.
July 2014: Dropped from Blues Festival
In July 2014, following calls for a boycott, Steven Seagal was dropped from the lineup of the August Blues Festival in Haapsalu, Estonia, due to his political views.
August 2014: Appears at Night Wolves Show
In August 2014, Steven Seagal appeared at a Night Wolves-organized show in Sevastopol, Crimea, supporting the Crimean annexation.
2015: Visits Azerbaijan
In 2015, Steven Seagal visited the Republic of Azerbaijan and met with President Ilham Aliyev, expressing support for Azerbaijan's territorial integrity.
January 11, 2016: Granted Serbian Citizenship
On January 11, 2016, Steven Seagal was granted Serbian citizenship following several visits to the country, and has been asked to teach aikido to the Serbian Special Forces.
November 3, 2016: Granted Russian Citizenship
On November 3, 2016, Steven Seagal was granted Russian citizenship, following a request and lengthy period, and is considered a friend of President Vladimir Putin.
2016: Comments on Protests and Russian Interference
In 2016, Steven Seagal spoke out against protests during the United States national anthem and expressed skepticism of alleged Russian interference in the United States elections, and was challenged to an MMA fight by George Foreman.
2016: Granted Russian and Serbian Citizenship
In 2016, Steven Seagal was granted both Russian and Serbian citizenship, expanding his international ties.
October 2017: Meets with Rodrigo Duterte
In October 2017, Steven Seagal met with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte while scouting locations in Manila for a possible film.
2017: Co-Authors Conspiracy Thriller
In 2017, Steven Seagal co-authored a self-published conspiracy thriller novel, 'The Way of the Shadow Wolves', with Tom Morrissey.
2018: Appointed Russia's Special Envoy to the U.S.
In 2018, Steven Seagal was appointed as Russia's special envoy to the U.S., further solidifying his relationship with the Russian government.
May 30, 2021: Joins A Just Russia Party
On May 30, 2021, Steven Seagal received an official membership card to the pro-Kremlin party A Just Russia — Patriots — For Truth.
March 2022: Seagal visits Moscow during Russian invasion of Ukraine
In March 2022, Steven Seagal visited Moscow during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He organized his birthday party, which was attended by individuals connected to Vladimir Putin, including some under international sanctions. This action was criticized amidst the growing international boycott of Russia.
August 2022: Seagal visits Olenivka in Donetsk Oblast
In August 2022, Steven Seagal visited Olenivka in Donetsk Oblast, the site of the Olenivka prison massacre, accompanied by Donetsk People's Republic leader Denis Pushilin. Pushilin claimed that Seagal was filming a documentary about the war in Donbas. Seagal also met with Leonid Slutsky.
February 27, 2023: Seagal receives Russian Order of Friendship
On February 27, 2023, Vladimir Putin presented Steven Seagal with the Russian Order of Friendship. The award was given for Seagal's "major contribution to the development of international cultural and humanitarian cooperation".
